About the Course

Parenting and supporting an LGBTQ+ child can feel overwhelming at times. You may have questions and not be sure where to get answers. You want to know how to support your LGBTQ+ child but are afraid you’ll make mistakes. Intro to Understanding Your LGBTQ+ Child is a self-paced course full of beautiful interactive content and personal stories that is designed to help parents of LGBTQ+ children as they learn to understand, support, and celebrate their child. By taking this course, you’ll become a more confident, understanding, and affirming adult by opening your eyes, mind, and heart to your child’s gifts and challenges. You can get answers to your questions in a safe space, meet other caring adults who understand what you’re feeling, and learn what your child needs to thrive.

Course Details

Intro to Understanding Your LGBTQ+ Child is a 2-hour, self-directed course that includes twelve learning topics grounded in research, and presented in a warm, accessible teaching style. To reinforce the content and provide a rich, interactive experience, Parachute also features:

• 12 video/animated stories from moms of LGBTQ+ children who share their journeys
• A downloadable, fillable journal with prompts to encourage personal reflection on course topics
• Trained facilitators who are moms of LGBTQ+ kids to answer questions and provide support
• A private, secure online social platform (called Community) where participants can ask questions, share stories, and receive support
• Links to resources for further study and more in-depth learning

Course Outcomes

Multiple studies have shown how important it is for parents to affirm their LGBTQ+ children. Parenting behaviors have a direct impact on children’s mental and physical health. By the end of Parachute’s Intro to Understanding Your LGBTQ+ Child course, participants will have learned:

  • To identify common myths and misconceptions about the LGBTQ+ community and why they are false

  • To understand the mental health challenges LGBTQ+ children often experience and how to respond to them

  • To define common terms used in the LGBTQ+ community, including personal labels for sexual orientation and gender identity

  • To develop practices that support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ child in their life

  • To create support structures and communities of care that provide strength and encouragement for the job of parenting and supporting an LGBTQ+ child

The Course Outline

Browse through the units and topics covered in this intro course

  • 1

    Parachute Orientation

    • Welcome

    • Entry Survey

    • Gentle Lift, Soft Landing

    • What to Expect

    • Why Parachute

    • Get Ready to Soar!
  • 2

    The LGBTQ Community

  • 3

    The Coming Out Experience

    • TOPIC 1: What it's Like to Keep a Secret

    • –– Alison's Story

    • –– Journal Activity

    • TOPIC 2: What to do when someone tells you their truth

    • --Marissa's Story

    • –– Journal Activity

    • TOPIC 3: Embracing Your New Role

    • –– Bethany's Story

    • –– Journal Activity
  • 4

    Understanding LGBTQ Labels

    • TOPIC 1: LGBTQ Labels

    • --Amy's Story

    • –– Journal Activity

    • TOPIC 2: Understanding Sexual Orientation

    • --Rachel's Story

    • –– Journal Activity

    • TOPIC 3: Understanding Gender Identity

    • –– Yvonne's Story

    • –– Journal Activity
  • 5

    Showing Affirmation with Action

    • TOPIC 1: Moving from Tolerance to Acceptance

    • –– Kaye's Story

    • –– Journal Activity

    • TOPIC 2: Tips for Becoming an Affirming Parent

    • –– QPR by Jen

    • –– Journal Activity

    • TOPIC 3: How to Show Your Support

    • –– Journal Activity

    • –– We Need Your Feedback

    • –– Exit Survey

    • Letters from Mamas

This course is FREE for Mama Dragons

Are you a mom of an LGBTQ child and want to take this course for free?
Join Mama Dragons - a non-profit organization that supports, educates, and empowers moms of LGBTQ children.

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